Businesses across Wyre are being urged to 'Get Wyred Up' and take advantage of the £1billion investment heading the borough's way.

That's the message to local businesses which are invited to join a new network to ensure this future investment stays in the area and benefits Wyre's economy.

Wyred Up, which officially launches next month, is open to sole traders, large companies and everything in between.

The purpose is to encourage businesses to forge closer links with each other, with a view to using local suppliers wherever possible, and to help them capitalise on the various proposed developments at Hillhouse, Fleetwood, Poulton and Garstang.

Regular meetings will run alongside an online directory for use by local firms and potential investors who wish to see a broad range of commerce and industry in Wyre.

The first of these network meetings takes place on Thursday 4 December.

Key speakers are Welsh Power, soon to be Wyre Power, the company behind the proposed £600million power station, Hillhouse PVC manufacturer Vinnolit Ltd, Fleetwood based A&M Seafoods Ltd and W2R, the developers behind the Waste Technology Park in Thornton.

Wyred Up's inception and its distinctive branding comes courtesy of Rabbit Design in Thornton and has been adopted by the Wyre Strategic Partnership for greater impact.

Partnership Chair Councillor Russell Forsyth, Leader of Wyre Borough Council said: "With more than a billion pounds of investment planned for Wyre in the next five years alone, it makes good business sense to ensure the bulk of this wealth stays in Wyre.

"Wyred Up is all about making local companies work better together so we can show these potential investors that Wyre is ready to do businesses with them."

December's event takes place at the Thornton Cleveleys Football Clubhouse, Bourne Way, Thornton, from 3pm to 7pm.

Organisations wishing to attend can book via the website www.wyredupforbusiness.co.uk, where they can also register for the online directory. Alternatively, confirmation of attendance can be emailed to kpaddan@wyrebc.gov.uk